Combination plug valve and orifice housing



Nov. 6, 1956 R. l.. ATKINSON 2,769,456

COMBINATION PLUG VALVE AND ORIFICE HOUSING Filed July l2, 1955. 2 Shee'atS-Sheeb 1 ll- Z s f 3 Sq 3L 3 I l I 5 i 7 V5 q55|;\ |060 3 I8 E 2q AlA 24 v3|I'JL 32 39 3 3" yf f \`1 3| v 2g W2/38 u, 1v I VZ 1 g 51 5| 5\ f 43 40 .55 54 '54 a 53.

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,I I 7 8 i L A BY a 3g? 35 v1 21 'A aaw QQ/W (D3 ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 R. l.. ATKINSON 2,769,456

COMBINATION PLUG VALVE AND ORIFICE HOUSING Filed July 12, 1955 '2 sheets-sheet 2 /Q 3 52 54 52 l Illu Illu 55 Ilm 5| sgg ws 2 VII.

",r 5 /ML a MHK llw Ilm i Hoy L. /lz//r/Jon INVENTOR.

Sz 53 54 5L Afro/wir United States Patent -COMBINATION PLUG VALVE AND ORIFICE HOUSING Roy L. Atkinson, Pasadena, Tex.

Application 'July.12, 1955, Serial No. 521,480

5 Claims. :(Cl.'137-26S) The present; invention relates-to a device which'may be 'used as acombinationplug valve and oriiee housing.

In orderv to .determine the iuid flow rate in a ow line, an oriiicemay be positionedtherein whereby the Volume low.. rate' inthe linemay heimeasured. When the 'orifice becomesworn it is` necessary'that it be. replaced, and with structures presently used, this .generally necessitatesrthat ow .through the line becut oi while the orifice member 'therein is being replaced or removed.

The present invention provides .an oriiice housing which is provided with at least two oriiicefmembers so'that While -.or1e:is in position in the flowline, theV othersrnay be ina position sothat it can be;changed or repaired without cutting oif flow throughthe ow line.

Another object ofthe-inventionis to Lprovideacombi- -nationi plug valve and antoricezhousing including aibody .witha 'ftownpassage therethrough, inner and outer'tele- :scoping plugs intersectingthe owzipassage and having ow ports'which communicate with the ow passage.

SlLanother objectlof :the presentinvention is'to provide a combinationtplugv'alve andan orificezhousingincludingJa Abody :with a'flow passagetherethrough, inner :andtouter telescoping .plugs intersecting the 'ilow passage randghaving owiports whichzcommunicate with the flow :fpassage,:each:.of saiclzplugs,V having a Vstern whereby-'such :plugs-"may :be;rotated relative to veach other and relative to the body. Y

:Still aifurtherzobiect ofltheinventioneisPtoprovide a 4body:for-mounting.: in ia flow line, whichbodyha's a'flow passage therethrough, a spair of .'concentrically .arranged Yteleseoping .plugsfiitt'rng Within the-'body and intersecting thezflowpassage Vtherethrough 'iwith lstern 1 means on 'each of` thezplugs whereby: they' may/be rotatedrelativeto-Yand independently.- of each otherfand relativeftothebody.

Still Va-further-'object 'ofthe invention is to provide-a ibo'dy `formounting;in:=a.ow line, which body has a Aow passage therethrough, .1a .pair yof Vconce'ntrically arranged telescoping inneriand-'outerplugsttingvwithin thebody :and: intersecting the ftow passage r therethrough Vwith stem -means oneeachtof theiplugs :wherebyE they may'be v rotated relative :to and 1 independently of each otherAan'd relative i to the'body,Y there 'beingaxpassage throughsaidinner'plug, and there :being: passages for' portsv through said I outer plug intersecting at substantially right. angles: and Vadapted to 4communicate with .said fbody filow g passage, the outer fof said:paired.iplugshaving an orifice memberin each ofits passages'and atrrightlanglesto each other in the ports or passagesthroughthep'lug `so that atleastone of said orifices may be 1 positioned in the .'ow line of -sai'd f body 'by-rotation ofthe 'outer plug.

Still aj'furtherobjectofi the invention=is to provide a body for mounting in a iiow line, whichbody hasa'ow passage htherethrough, 1a pair-:of concentrically v'arranged telescoping 'inner and outer plugs fitting withinfthe body and intersecting the 4flow 'passage therethrough, stem meanssoneachy of the` plugs Wherebyvthey mayberrotated Srelativetof-and independently of eachother and relative :to the'body, there'bcing ay passage'through said inner. plug,

and there beingpassag'es or: ports through-said outerplug intersecting fat substantially s right 'angles and i adapted to communicate withisaid Vboclyowpassage, the 'outer' of said paired plugs -having 'anforifce memberin eachoffits passages and at light angles'toeach other in the'ow ports or passages through-theplug so'that at least'one of said orifices may-be; positioned in the flowrline of said body by-rotationfoffthe plug'yandtherebeing pressure `takeoff portslin thel devicefvwhe'rebyfthe pressure differential across the orifice may be determined.

Yet a ,further object of .fthe-invention is-toprovide va body having a-owpassage therethrough withv a ,pai'r of inner and outer concentrically arranged telescopinggplugs tting in the bodyiand intersecting the passage, Lseal means between V-the outerfplugfand the :body Vandsseal .means between -the Iinner-plug `an'd'the outerplug :for Yinhibiting leakage-.of-fluid between said plugs and said f body and said plugs having: portsl therethrough whichv are adapted =to-communicate with thefow'pass'age through the body, said Aplugs .each -having a stem whereby the plugs may be-rotated independently'of eachother :and

relative tothe body.

Still another object of the invention is to vproviclea device .which serves as afcombinationxplug valve and ori-tice support :wherein vthe plug valve cooperates-With the-orifice supportsofthatfthe orifice membersinlzthe support may .be .changed'without cutting off the flow .through the oriiices or through the plug.

.Y et .a further` object of-the :inventionfis 'torprovide 3a combination plug valve and orice support Whei'einzlat least twororice members are mounted in the support; the I,portionot`.-the.devi :e which acts-fas a plug or valve to shut oft Viiow throughy therdevicey cooperating withv the oi'iee support. .so that theoriiices may be changed or lrepaired without cutting off flow-'through-the device.

Other objects and.,advantages of theinvention willfbecome. morereadily apparent from 'aconsiderationofethe orifice lmemhers in the outer -plug for -support andfthe -closureaps-Jfor the access openings in `the/body of fthe device; and

Fig. 4 is .aipartialasectional view somewhatzsimilar-to .Fig. f3 but. showing azportionfof the-devieein exploded yarrangement .so as to more clearly illustrate =the struc- .tural arrangement thereof.

.In Fig. -1 thezbody of thedevice is Yillustrated at 2-and is shown as .being .provided `with an `aperture 3 for-flow .passage -which extends longitudinally throughthe body for conducting uid therethrough. The'devicefmaybe connected-into a -flow -l-ine-by any suitable-meanszan'd in .the fortnof` suchrmeansfillustrated in the VAd'avvings, iia'nges -4and 5 'areprovided at each e'nd Lof'th'ebody whereby Vbolts (not rshown') fmay be '"'securedthrough openings f6 in .the flanges andthx'ough-v openings an adjacent `fia'nge in-'thediowiline (not 'shot/vri)A so as to `securely'position the` device inffthe liow'line. Slb'stantially mid-way-ofjthe aperture 3,'ffhe body 12 isfprovided with anenlargedeo'p'ening 7 "for :accommodating the plugs I8 and`9, which plugs Vintersect-the'flow passageiinthe body v2. LAItfisV to'be noted that ythe 'i'nnerewall surface I0 -of the opening'7 is tapered `fron'th`e top to th'ebottomthereof as'illustrated in Fig. 1 of theidrawingsl-and-the outer surface 111- of Ithe plug 8 is Vprovided with a mating taper so as to closely and slidably lit against the surface 10.0f openlng 7.

The plug 9 is telescopically fitted within the recess or ',counterbore 13 of the' plug 8, 'such recess or counterbor'e Vbeing provided with a tapered peripheral wall 14 which tapers in a direction opposite to the taper on the wall 10 by the cap 51 at each end which may be secured on the of opening 7. The plug 9 has a mating 'taper on its outer ,v

sage 3 so as to inhibit Vleakage of uid therefrom and between the plug 8 and the body 2. Seal means 19 may be provided on theinner plug 9 so as to inhibit leakage Y of fluid from the passage 3 and between the inner plug 9 and outer plug 8. The seal means 18 and'19 may be of the O-ring type and will extend completely around -the plugs 8 and 9 respectively so as to form a seal between Vthe'walls'lt) and 11 of opening 7 and plug 9 respectively. Similarly, the seal 19 forms a seal between the walls 14 and 15 of recess 13 and plug 8 respectively.

Such sealsV allowfree relative rotational movement between the plugsandvthe Valve body whereby the plugs 'maybe movedV to any Vdesired relative rotated position, but will maintain a fluid sealbetween the plugs and between the body 2 so as to inhibit leakage of iluid from .the -body passage or aperture 3 as iuid flow occurs therein.

Caps 25 and 26 are arranged on each end of the open-Y ing 7 so as to abut the plugs 8 and 9 respectively and to maintain them in position within the body 2. Such caps may be removably secured to the body 2 by any suitable means such as the bolts 27 which are adapted to engage -through the openings 28 in the caps and into threaded AVopenings 29 of the body 2. In order to position the plugs 8 and 9 laterally relative to the Vbody passage 3 and in Y order to maintain Vthe plugs in a proper telescoped re- 4 permits one orifice on plug 8 to always be positioned in the iiow passage 3 of the body while the other orifice on the plug is in a stand by position within the recess or opening 50 of the body 2. The opening 50 extends completely through the body 2 of the device and is covered body by means of the bolts 52.v An opening 53 is provided in the caps 51 which opening is closed at its outer end by Vthe bolt 54 wherebyV fluid pressure within the opening 50 may be bled oi prior to removal of either of the caps 51 to avoid the possibility of injury due to the accumulation of pressure within the recess 50 which might tend to blow the cap 51 ot the body 2 as it is removed from engagement with the body. 2. Y V

The openings Sil provide a means of access to the outer plug 8 as well as the inner plug 9 and as shown in Figs.

3 and 4 of the drawings, the cap 51 may be removed so as to gain access to the orice 53 within the opening 50 whereby it may be replaced or repaired as desired.V VThis is particularly advantageous because such construction permits the remaining oriice 53 to stay in position as` illustrated in Fig. 3 so that uid iiow through the body 2 of the device. need not be cut ol while one of the orifice members is being repaired or replaced. The inner plug 9 cooperates in that it seals oif the opening 50 from communication with the aperture or ilow passage 3'in the body 2 and thereby permits access through the opening 50 to the orice 53 which is in stand by position and lationship while permitting free rotational movement vthereof, suitable ball bearing spacing meansk 30 may be provided. Y Y

The ball bearing spacing means 30 is adapted to fit be- 'tween` the innersurface 31 of each ofthe caps and the adjacent surface 32 of each of the plugs Sand 9. .The `.ball bearing spacing means includes plates 33 and 34 :which are vprovided with mating grooves 35 for receiving theball bearings 36 therein. Aftersthe plugs 8fand 9 have been positioned within the body 2 of the device and the caps 25 and 26 positioned on the opening 7 at each Y end thereof, Allen screws 38 may be threaded through openings 39 in each of the caps 25 and 26 so as to abut the top plate 33 of the ball bearing spacing means 30.V

This positions the ball bearing spacing means 30 firmly against the adjacent surface 32 of the plugs 8 and 9 and n prevents relative longitudinal movement between the plugs land between the plugs and the body 2 after the device has been assembled. Y Y g The construction of the outer plug 8 is more clearly illustratedV in Fig. 3 of the drawings and is shown as including ow passages 40 and 41 which intersect at substantiallyV right Vangles withinV theplug. Eachof such passages or ports is provided with an orifice 43. Each orifice 43 is positioned within the passages in the plug 9 by kmeans of a retainer ring 44 which abuts against-the orice 43. The retainer ring 44 may be engaged within the end of the passages 40 and 41 in plug -8 by any suit- V able means such as cooperating threaded surfaces on the periphery of the ring and in the passages, which cooperating threaded surfaces may be of any conventional type and are not shown in detail in the drawings.

It is to be noted that the construction of the plug 9 out of communication with the ow passage 3. The inner plug 9 is provided with a port or ow passage 55 j which is adapted to be communicated with-either the Y port 40 or 41 of the plug 8 as desired.

In Fig'. 3, the passage 55 is shown as beingV commum- Vcated with the body How passage 3 and port or passage 41 in plug 8 so that fluid flow through body 2 of the device may be effected. As previously mentioned, when the plug 8 and the plug 9 is in this position, the orilice 53 in opening 50 may be changed or replaced, if desired, and uid ow will continue during such operation;V f

If for any reason, it is desired to shut ott ow through the body 2, thev plug 8 may be rotated to the position shown in Fig. 4 at which time communication betweenV the passage'from one end of the body to the other is interrupted by means of the plug 8. Y

A great deal of diicultyIhas been heretofore encountered in providing pressure take oi arrangements in orice meters or orilice arrangements such as described herein. 'Ihe present invention not only provides Van interchangeable orifice construction, but an interchangeable 5()V orifice construction wherein the pressure upstreamy and downstream in the flow passage of the body and relative to the orifice in such tlow passage may be conducted exteriorly Yof the device for instrumentally determining or cutting the pressure dilerential across the orifice so as to indicate the ow rate through the device 2.

As 'shown in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, anopening 60 is provided in the body 2 and upstream relative to the ori- Vtice 53 positioned in the passage 3 so that the uid pres-V 1 sure in the body passage 3 may be conducted through the conduit 61 exteriorly of the body 2 and compared with the downstream pressure obtained through opening 62 in plugS and extending therethrough to connectwith conduit 63. It is to be noted that this construction provides a plug arrangement wherein the plugs. aremovable relative Yto each other so as to positionthem as desired within the body 2 .while still obtaining upstreamr and down- Y stream-pressure readings regardless of which orifice member in plug 8'is positioned to communicate with the tiow passage 3 of body 2. Y

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated `that a device is provided wherein a combination plug valve and orifice housing or support is provided.

When the plugs 8 and 9 are positioned so that the opening 55 in plug 9 is aligned with the ow passage 3 in the body 2, fluid flow through the device will occur. The plug 9, upon rotation either to the right or left by means infila-Stem 1.7- Qan ,be rpositioned Vso .that the, passage 5.5 giherethroughlisnot in communicationfwit'mthe passage 3 ,in thebodyl andv this serves -to shut off flow .through `the tiel/Lice. This position is illustrated Vin Fig. 4 ofthe drawings.

VIfit .should be desired to change -either of the orifice @Embers-43 in passage 4 9 or passage v.41 ofpli 1g.8 .the plug can-be `rotated by its-stemso as toposition either .passage-,40 or passage 41 in communication with vvaccess PaSSage or opening 50. Bleed-screw 54-may beunscrevved so as to permit vthe accumulation Vof-.any pressure in openfin/g `5,0 Ytopass'outvvardly through passageSS. The c ap 5 1 -1nay thenberernoved so thataccess-rnay --be had to vtigre-retainer ring .44 for removal thereof-which Yin-turn allows the orifice plate 43 .tobe removed or-replaced. During such operation, plugs 8 and 9 cooperate to continue-ow through body-passage 3. YItis to be noted that Epressuretake-.olfpassages 60- and 6 2 which communicate -Wi th the flow passage Supstream and downstream respectivelyofihe orificeplate 43 conduct theguid pressure at such points exteriorly of the body 2 of the device Where the pressure differential of lsuch points may be readily determined. Since the downstream passage or port 6,2 is in plug 9 it will serve as a pressure take oifmeans T for either passage 4l) or 41 whichever is in alignment with body passage '3 so as to communicate therewith.

Itis desirable from time to time to remove accumulated, -.solidied paran fromthe flow line Vand the presentinvention provides a means whereby a soluble solvent material may be injected into the liow line with a minimum of effort. The solvent upon dissolving in the flow line acts to dissolve the accumulated paraffin.

By rotating the plug 9 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings so that the opening 55 therein communicates with the access opening 50 in the body 2 of the device, access may be had to the opening 55 by removing cap 51 so that a soluble plug of solvent for dissolving paraiiin from the flow line may be positioned in the opening 55 of plug 9.

The cap 51 may then be repositioned over the opening 50 and the plug then rotated so as to communicate opening 55 therethrough with flow passage 3. The plug of soluble -material is thereby positioned in the ow line and the medium passing therethrough will push the plug of material along the line, gradually dissolving it as it moves. The solvent plug will act to dissolve the solidified paralin in the iiow line and the operation may be repeated when and as necessary.

It is desirable from time to time to provide a modified form of orifice, termed a flow choke, in the iiow line for regulating or controlling the amount of liuid flow. The present invention provides a device wherein a choke may be easily and quickly positioned within the ow line and which may be removed therefrom or replaced with a minimum of effort.

Any conventional form of ow choke may be provided and used in the invention. It will, of course, have an annular flange for seating on the surface 70 and will be of a size so that when the retainer ring 44 is threaded into position, such ring will abut against the flange and hold the choke in position.

One suitable form of choke is illustrated in dotted line of Fig. 4 of the drawings. An annular flange 71 is integrally connected with the tubular body 71, which body will extend all the way through passage 55 of plug 8 and into the opposite end of port or passage 40. The body 71 is only partially shown in the drawings in order to better illustrate the arrangement thereof in the passage 55. The choke opening through body 71 may be of any suitable size as desired.

When the device is to be used as a choke housing, the plug 9 will be rotated to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 so that the passage 55 therethrough will communicate with either the opening 40 or the opening 41 in plug 9. In Fig. 4 the opening 55 through plug 9 is illustrated as general description previously given.

communicating with port .or .passage 40.- iitplilgandv these passagesin turn are communicated"withgaccessopeing 5.0 vwhereby the .orifice 43, and retaililerl plate` 44 k.marinare- .moved. The choke maythenfbe inscrtcdiinopeilgggfSS so that the annular. ange .7 1'. thereonA rests ,011, 'shoulder of plugS. The llowlchoke. maybe of any conven'tional design lwell known in the: art,l andfitis'.believedunnecessary tov give` a detaileddescription thereofother vl;l;la'u""`the After the choke'has been insertedtheretainerf'ringAl Vmay be threadedin position vagainstthe ,annular lian'gell' and the `cap 51- replaced ,overlthe openingr50. .'l`h'e plugs Y8 and 9 mayfthen .be rotated ...togethensoastoface.the

choke facesupstreamillspassage 3.

When the chokefacesupstreril, .,lid iiow .occur Ythrough the tubular body71 oftheiiowchoke.

k:in .a flow line to Vcommunicate:theapcrtureWiththetiow .line for flow through said body, said .body having an open- ,ing ,extending .laterally :thereof -.,and .intersecting said aperture substantially mid-way between the ends thereof, inner and outer concentrically arranged plugs fitting within said opening, each of said plugs having a stem whereby they may be rotated relative'to each other and relative to said body, said plugs each having openings therethrough of substantially the same size as the aperture in said body, said outer plug having orifices mounted therein for directing fluid from said aperture therethrough, there being an opening through said valve body for conducting the uid pressure upstream of said orifice exteriorly of said body, there being an opening in said inner plug downstream of said orifice for conducting the fluid pressure exteriorly of said body whereby the pressure differential upstream and downstream of said orifice may be instrumentally noted.

2. A combination plug valve and oriiice housing, including a body, there being a ow passage therethrough, telescoping .inner and outer plugs rotatably lit-ting in said body and intersecting said ow passage, said plugs each having -a stem whereby they may be rotated relative to each other land relative to said body, said outer plug having flow passages therethrough intersecting substantially at right angles either of which may be aligned with said body liow passage upon rotation of said outer plug by its stem, said inner plug having a single ow passage therethrough which may be aligned with said body and outer .plug passage for conducting ow through said body and which inner plug may be rotated -by its 4stern to shut off ow through said body.

3. A combination plug valve and orifice housing, including a body, there being a ow passage therethrough, telescoping inner and outer plugs rotatably fitting in said body and intersecting said ow passage, said plugs each having .a stem whereby they may -be rotated relative to leach other and relative to said body, said outer plug having ow passages therethrough intersecting substantially at :right angles veither of which may be aligned with said body flow passage upon rotation of said outer plug by its stem, said inner plug having a single ow passage therethrough which may be aligned with ysaid body and outer plug passage for .conducting flow through said body and which inner plug may be rotated by its stem to shut olf how through said body, and orifice members adapted to be mounted in both of said flow passages in said outer plug so :as to be disposed to receive ow from said body passage when either of said outer plug passages is communicated therewith.

' "4. A combination plug valver and orifice housing, includingfa'rbody, there being a ow passage therethrough; 'Vteles'copin'g inner and outer plugsrotatably iitting in said xbodyiand'intersecting -saidow passage, said plugs each having Ia stem VVWherebythey may berotated relative to each other and relative to saidy body, said outer plug having-How 'passages therethrough intersecting substantially at righ-t angles either of' which may be aligned with said Ybody-flow passage -upon rotation of said outer plug by its `Astem,i saidinnerplug having va single -ow passage therethrou-gh'which-ma'y'be aligned with said body and outer plug passage for conducting ilow through said body and which v'inner plug'may 'be rotated by its stem to shut oi yiow through Ysaid body, Yand or'icre members. yadapted to be mounted in both said' flow passages in said ,outer plug )so as to -be disposed to receive ow from' said body passage when either of said outer plug passages is communicated `ltherewith, said body having an access opening extending laterally relative -to said flow passage whereby Iaccess may ing ow passagesftherethrough intersecting' substantially at right angles either of whichrmay be aligned withsaid body. flow passage upon rotation of said outerfplug byrits stem, said inner plug having a single flow passage therethrough which may be laligned with fsaid body and outer plug passage -for conducting ow throughsaid body and ywhich inner plug may be rotated by its stem ftov shut'oi flow throughV said body, orice members adapted to vbe mounted in bothfof 'said ow passages in said outer plug so las to'be disposed .to receive ow from said body passage when either of said outer plug passages is communicated therewith, said body having an access Vopening extending laterally 4relative to Isaid flow passage whereby access may 4be had -to either of said flow passages and orifice members Iin `said outer plug without shutting oi communicationthroug'h said body, andzthere being an upstream `and downstream opening in said ow passages relative to said or-itice members for-conducting the uid pressurelat such points exteriorly of saidv body whereby the dierent-ial pressure across said orice may be determined. Y

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,175 Hagh Nov. 6,1190'0 2,124,359 Weisgenber July 18, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,080,276 France May26, 1954 

